The Not Fair Prayer | Jennifer Rothschild

Hi there, dear ones. Jennifer here. The post I’m sharing with you this week is one I wrote a few years ago, but felt the need to share with you again. Given the messages and comments I’ve received lately, it seemed relevant to what so many of you are dealing with. My prayer is that if you’re newer to our community of sisters and reading it for the first time that it will encourage your heart. If this isn’t your first time to read it, I pray the Lord will use it in a fresh way to minister to you. So thankful for each of you.

Sometimes the things life throws at us can make us feel like God isn’t being fair. She got the job, and I didn’t. Her health is fine, and I have a chronic illness. The list could go on and on forever… we’ve all be there!

You’re frustrated, confused, sad, or discouraged, but you desperately want to keep trusting God and His Word. What do you do?

Here are four ways to pray when you’re stuck in a rut and feel God just isn’t fair. I call it the “Not Fair Prayer”.

The Not Fair Prayer – what to pray when life doesn’t seem fair. [Click to Tweet]

These four prayers will result in choices you can make and actions you can take. They are easy to remember and can be repeated in prayer as many times a day as you need.

1. F – Fix your eyes on Jesus

We spend lots of time trying to fix our problems, but you will find more peace if you simply fix your eyes on Jesus.

If we keep our eyes focused on Jesus as our encouragement and example, it will strengthen us to face our own pain.

You will find more peace if you simply fix your eyes on Jesus.
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Hebrews 12: 1-3 says, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God… For consider Him who has endured such hostility by sinners against Himself, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.

How did Jesus do it? He kept His eye on the joy that was set before Him. He was able to fix His eyes on something better and purposeful and it helped Him endure.

Fix your eyes on Him. When you’re feeling especially sad or frustrated, think about Him. He endured unfairness and cruelty and He knows how you feel when you suffer. Focusing on Jesus will help you endure. It was for “the joy set before Him” that He endured and my friend, there is joy set before you too!

Not only do we need to fix our eyes on Jesus, but we need to fix our eyes on something higher and better – the joy set before us.

Colossians 3:2 says, Set your mind on things above, not on earthly things.

Earth may be hard, but it will be short. Heaven is long. So, fix your minds on Heaven and the things of Heaven. When you think of heaven what do you see? There will be no tears, no pain, no hurt, no rejection, and no mistreatment.

Heaven is real – as real as your pain.

Heaven is real – as real as your pain.
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Fixing your eyes on your ultimate home will help you endure the rocky path you travel on earth.

Pray this prayer to help you fix your eyes on Jesus:“I fix my eyes on You, Jesus, and on the joy set before me.”

2. A – Admit your pain, perplexity, and powerlessness

Denial is a dangerous choice. It’s okay to admit your pain or disillusionment. In fact, it’s biblical! Trust in him at all times, O people; pour out your heart before him; God is a refuge for us. (Psalm 62:8)

The psalmists did that; they admitted when they were hurt. Here are some prayers to pray when you are weary, sad, or grieving.

When you’re weary:
Hear, O Lord, and answer me, for I am poor and needy. Guard my life, for I am devoted to You. (Psalm 86:1-2)

When you’re sad or grieving:
My soul weeps because of grief; strengthen me according to Your word. (Psalm 119:28)

Pray to God: “I admit my pain and powerlessness.”

3. I – Invite God into your pain

The Lord is near to all who call on Him – to all who call on Him in truth. That’s why we admit our pain and invite Him in. He will draw near if you ask Him to. Don’t let your pain be a barrier that keeps you from God; make it a bridge that invites Him in to heal and comfort you.

Let your pain be a bridge that invites God to heal and comfort you. [Click to Tweet]

Meditate on these Scriptures as you invite God in: I call on the Lord in my distress, and He answers me.” (Psalm 120:1)

Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. (Psalm 139:23-24)

Hear me, O Eternal One, hear my prayer! Hear my lonely, desperate cry for help, and answer me quickly when I call. (Psalm 102:1)

Invite God in by praying: “I invite You into my pain, please come help and comfort me.”

4. R – Rest in the mystery. Rest in Him.

Rest is what you experience when you stop trying to fix your problem and, instead, fix your eyes on God.

Dwell on these Scriptures as you rest in who God is:
I have set the Lord always before me. Because He is at my right hand, I will not be shaken. (Psalm 16:8)

Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices; my body also will rest secure. (Acts 2:26)

You are a shield around me, O Lord, my Glorious One, who lifts up my head…I lie down and sleep; I wake again, because the Lord sustains me. (Psalm 3:3-7)

Rest is what you experience when you admit you are powerless and invite God’s presence and power into your pain.

Rest is what you experience when you admit you’re powerless and invite God’s power into your pain.
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Rest is what you experience when you stop wondering if God is fair and finally realize that God is just, not fair; He is good, and you can rest in His ways.

Pray to God: “I rest in You.”

When life doesn’t feel F-A-I-R, pray the Not Fair Prayer. It’ll root you in Scripture and turn your heart to the truth of God’s character.

My book, God is Just Not Fair, delves deeper into what it means for God to be just, and I share my story of facing the realities of God not being fair. Learn more about the book at www.notfairbook.com.

In the comments below, share with us your favorite verse that helps you when life doesn’t seem fair.